CIA Declassified Files Revive Ark of Covenant Debate

Headline: CIA Declassified Documents Spark New Theories About the Ark of the Covenant

Washington, D.C. – March 27, 2025 – Recently declassified CIA files have reignited global interest in one of history’s most enigmatic religious artifacts: the Ark of the Covenant. The documents, part of a routine release of previously classified intelligence reports, contain cryptic references to the Ark, suggesting that U.S. agencies may have investigated its whereabouts during the Cold War.

A Mysterious Discovery

The files, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, include brief mentions of 'anomalous archaeological pursuits' in the Middle East and Africa, with one heavily redacted memo referencing 'an object of extreme religious and strategic significance.' While the documents do not explicitly confirm the Ark’s existence, conspiracy theorists and biblical scholars have seized on the revelations as potential evidence that intelligence agencies took the legend seriously.

One declassified report from 1979 discusses an operation in Ethiopia, where local traditions claim the Ark has been secretly guarded for centuries in the Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum. Another document alludes to satellite imagery analysis of 'ancient sites of interest' in Israel and Egypt, though details remain obscured.

Historical and Religious Significance

The Ark of the Covenant, described in the Hebrew Bible as a gold-covered wooden chest containing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, is said to possess immense power—capable of both divine blessings and destruction. Its last known location, according to scripture, was the First Temple in Jerusalem before vanishing from historical records.

Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have long maintained that the Ark was brought to their country by Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. However, no outside researchers have been permitted to verify its presence in Axum.

CIA’s Interest: Fact or Fiction?

Experts remain divided on whether the CIA’s interest was genuine or part of broader Cold War-era intelligence-gathering on regional artifacts. Some suggest the references could be linked to efforts to track lost relics for geopolitical leverage, while others speculate about more esoteric motives.

'The CIA has historically investigated all kinds of unconventional topics, from psychic phenomena to ancient technologies,' said Dr. Jonathan Greer, a biblical archaeologist. 'But without full transparency, we can only speculate.'

The agency has not officially commented on the files, leaving room for continued debate. Meanwhile, treasure hunters and religious groups are calling for further disclosures, hoping to uncover whether one of history’s greatest mysteries was ever on the U.S. government’s radar.

As the world awaits more answers, the legend of the Ark of the Covenant continues to captivate—proving that some secrets, whether divine or classified, remain fiercely guarded.

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